Skin Physics Dragon's Blood Skincare...

Well hi lovelies - yeah, I know, long time no post! Everything is fine and good here, well as good as can be in an extended COVID lockdown hey. But I can assure you the only reason I've been off the social media grid is work-related - as boring as that sounds, my job commitments started exploding in May and are showing no signs of returning to normal until closer to Christmas - yikes! While I'm thanking my lucky stars to have a steady income (and to be able to work from home), 12-hour non-stop stressful days are the norm and to be honest, by the time I disconnect from the office network I'm mentally drained and not fit for much at all. Impact? Apart from missing you all terribly (and even more grey hairs), I'm literally up to my neck in empty containers and have a ton of stuff to review. I can't bear to be away from you any longer, so will do my utmost to resume my weekly upload, although it will be a couple more months before I'm back to posting on Instagram. For now, I desperately wanted to share with you my new skincare regime - the Skin Physics Dragon's Blood range, which I'm crazy-in-love with ♥...

It all started back in May last year when the generous team at Theory Crew sent me the Dragon's Blood Facial Sculpting Gel to trial. I absolutely loved it AND the firming effect it had on my jawline, and have been using it every night since then. I'd also read fab reviews by some of my blogging gal-pals about the Ultra Plumping Night Cream and Retinol Sleep Serum, and filed that info away for future reference. Then, earlier this year, my skincare stars aligned - by that I mean my usual collection of lotions and potions was getting low and I noticed that Priceline (the only place where this range is sold) were having a Skin Physics sale, and I thought "perfect timing, why not?". It was a rare opportunity for me to shift to a whole new set of products (which is something I rarely ever do), and I'm so happy I took the plunge because this stuff is awesome! ♥...

I'll be reviewing each of them, including the Daily Radiance Moisturiser and Deep Wrinkle Filler over the coming weeks.  Interestingly there's no Eye Cream in the range, but they have an Advance Superlift Eye Contouring Serum which I've been powering through, and will post some notes on that as well. The cleanser in the range is the only product I wasn't crazy about, but I'll let you know why in one of my upcoming Empties posts - remember those? Ha ha yes, that's the next challenge (lol!) but I've already worked out how I can catch up, as well as return to sharing the love with my usual giveaways ♥...

Gee willikers, I've SO missed keeping in touch with you all!

Until next time, take care of you, and keep safe,
Hugs from kats xxx

P.S. In amongst all this I've had to change my blog subscription system, so hopefully, some of you will receive a post notification email from a system called Follow-It ♥...

REVIEW: L'Occitane Immortelle Reset Overnight Oil-In-Serum...

For months I've gazed longingly at the Immortelle Reset window display in my local L'Occitane outlet while riding up and down the escalator in the mall. There was something about the colours and harmony of the arrangement that was both captivating and calming in amongst the retail hustle and bustle, and I just kept thinking "one day...".  Well, that day finally arrived (24 hours after my tax return hit the account actually) and I entered the inner sanctum of the store to fulfil at least one of my skincare dreams ♥...

I resisted the urge to indulge in a whole bunch of their other magical lotions and potions and restricted myself to two bottles of this Overnight Reset Oil-In-Serum. Somewhere along the way I had scored a teeny tiny sample bottle (which was enough for almost a week) and fallen totally and utterly in love with the fragrance, the whole nightly application experience, and my rejuvenated appearance next morning. So it was kind of a done deal that the moment my budget would permit, this beautiful cocktail of skin-loving ingredients would take pride of place on my vanity ♥...

The presentation is exquisite - the femininely curved glass is tinted ombre-style, starting with a deep blue at the top, shading down through a reddish-purple, with the bottom half clear so that you can see the golden orbs of Immortelle Oil Extract suspended in the serum. Every time I look at it, my inner bee sees those little yellow balls as pollen, and I can't help but buzz with excitement lol! The scent is one of the most beautiful I have ever encountered in a skincare product. To me it encapsulates nature's divinity - pure and natural, it's the perfect balance of honey nectar and floral bloom that's neither sweet nor sour ♥...

Despite it being labelled as "oil-in-serum" I don't find it oily at all - it has excellent slip so massaging it into the skin is effortless, and the softening effect is outstanding. After applying, there's a very light and nourishing film left on the skin, which left alone, absorbs completely within 5 minutes leaving the surface satiny smooth (I usually hold off adding my usual moisturiser until the serum has sunk in completely). I've almost finished the first bottle, and my complexion has lost the dullness that has crept in over the years, plus I reckon my skin looks plumper and more vital, the sharpness of my lines has fuzzed, and there's not a hint of dryness in my cheeks any more ♥...

I'm totally sold on this elixir from nature - the combination of oil and serum is a brilliant innovation, the best of both hydrating worlds. And my evening ritual was something I would often postpone until just before retiring, but now it's become a priority as soon as I'm home from work if for no other reason than the pleasure it brings me. The challenge now is to rework my budget ($95 for 30ml) so I can continue on with the nightly bliss and improvements this gorgeous product has already delivered ♥...

Have you experienced the joy of this serum yet?

Take care of you,
kats xxx

Christmas Giveaway #3 - L'Oreal Revitalift Laser X3...

I swear I'm up to my neck in skincare! With all the products I've been gifted recently, plus the specials I've picked up over the last few months,  I have WAY more than I can use before it expires, so here is Christmas Giveaway #3 starring a selection of L'Oreal Revitalift Laser X3 moisturisers ♥...

This red themed giveaway consists of...

• 1 x L'Oreal Revitalift Laser X3 Complete Care Moisturiser
• 1 x L'Oreal Revitalift Laser X3 Anti-Ageing Power Serum
• 1 x L'Oreal Revitalift Laser X3 Dual Action Total Rejuvenation Moisturiser (personal fave!)
• 1 x Colette rose-gold metal & red crystal drop earrings
• 1 x Red & Black patterned 100% Silk Scarf

All products were purchased by me, total prize value is approx $175, and this giveaway is open...

INTERNATIONALLY!

Here's how to enter...

1. Leave a blog post comment on this page that answers the question inside the Rafflecopter (please note: if you don't leave a comment, you won't be included in the draw!)
2. Leave your email address inside the Rafflecopter so I can contact you if you win
3. Follow my blog one way or another from the many choices listed
4. Only one entry per person, please read the T's & C's inside the Rafflecopter

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This giveaway is now closed - check back later today to see who won!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Woo hoo! - random.org has chosen the beautiful Suzanne G. as the winner.  

Congratulations gorgeous! 

Suzanne please respond to the email I've sent you by

Friday 29th December to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Suzanne has claimed her prize

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Best of luck to all who enter!

Take care of you,
kats xxx

REVIEW: March Good Green Box...

Oh yay - had a lovely surprise last week when the March edition of the Good Green Box arrived in the post for me to sample, thanks to Bloggers United AU. I'd read reviews by other bloggers in the past, but hadn't gotten around to investigating it any further - silly me! Anyways I'm really impressed with the value ($65 worth for an outlay of $25) and it's such a cute and compact presentation of a variety of products with a focus on natural and vegan formulas - I can tell it's been put together with a lot of care. And I do enjoy the fact that if I fall in love with any of these goodies, quite a few of them are purchasable from the website shop. So...on with the contents...

The box is expertly packed with seven products, and there's a card with all the details. What's not pictured on the insert is the glue for the false eyelashes, but more on that later...

I'm starting with the Bondi Wash Body Wash because you know how I love body washes ♥ This one is scented with Tasmanian Pepper and Lavender - oh yum! I haven't opened it yet as I'm riddled with a virus at the mo' and can't smell much at all, so saving this for a few days time when I can truly enjoy the fragrant experience. Also lists bergamot and cedarwood oils in the ingredients, plus it's anti-bacterial - absolutely busting to try it! ♥...

Next is an interesting one - a wipe infused with magnesium that you use for pain relief.  The formula is oil-based, and the recommendation is to wipe along the lower back or across sore muscles for instant results. Wow I almost wish I had something painful in my bod right now so I could try this out - definitely putting it in the medicine drawer for when I or anyone in the family have an injury ♥...

Well we all know how good Wotnot wipes are, and these are specifically for the face, and for normal/sensitive skin. Ingredients include organic aloe vera, rosehip & sweet almond oils, and the blurb says they will even remove waterproof mascara. I used one last night to cleanse my face after a day in bed - not much grime to remove, but it was a good test as my nose is red raw from tissue chafing, and yet there was no stinging sensation whatsoever. My skin felt soft and lightly moisturised afterwards - definitely getting myself a big pack of these and will report on the makeup removal effectiveness, probably in my April Empties post ♥...

For those of you with particular sensitivities, the reverse of the product listing card spells out the main ingredients of each of the items - now that's helpful ♥...

Next up is the MIOD Balancing Face Oil. Very happy to see a plastic seal around the top of the dropper, and what little I can smell of this is delicious. Started this last night as it's for all skin types, but especially for oily skinned gals and anyone dealing with pore congestion. That's me to a T - just about every time I try a new moisturising range, my pores react by getting all clogged up, so I'm delighted to have the opportunity to put this to the test...

Ahh yes, natural deodorants. What a challenge it is for companies to come up with a deodorant that's effective, but doesn't contain the usual array of harmful-to-good-health chemicals. I've tried this Earth Mumma Pit Paste once so far (love the name lol), and with reasonable success - a wee bit of wetness, but definitely no stinkies.  It's a paste made from all natural ingredients that you rub into your armpits like a moisturiser - recommendation is to use a pea sized amount, and its stain free. Even with my blocked nose, I can smell the delicious lemongrass oil. Haven't been game to wear it on a work day yet, but I'll test it out again over Easter ♥...

And lastly, the product I'm most excited about  - Sarah Jean False Lashes, and an adhesive that comes in a mascara style applicator. I'm hoping this will be a turning point for me as I've struggled in the past to get the glue part right. Also the lashes look so lovely and fine - last time I tried falsies they were a lot bolder than this, and despite giving myself a pat on the back for getting them stuck on reasonably well, the reaction from the fam was "what's wrong with your eyes?". Sigh... The glue is clear, water soluble, latex free, anti-allergenic, and made in Korea. Will give these a go shortly, so watch my Instagram page for an extra special EOTD piccie ♥...

Overall I think this is an inspiring variety of products, and excellent value. You can subscribe to the Good Green Box - there are three options, and a healthy discount if you sign up for 6 months. Also there's a current promo to receive the first box for $10 using the code TRYGOODGREENBOX10. Now that's an amazing deal - imagine receiving all of the above for a tenner?

Thank you again Bloggers United AU and Good Green Box for sending me this box to sample and review - I'm so looking forward to whatever surprises are in the April edition ♥...

What do you think of  the Good Green Box - is it something you'd be interested in?

Take care of you,
kats xxx

P.S. Happy Easter Lovelies!

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: L'Oreal Age Perfect - Golden Age...

Happy 2017 lovelies! At last I have my new blog HQ set up, and with the relocation impacting the plans for my usual November and Christmas giveaways, I'm celebrating my first post for the new year with some goodies for you. Back in September last year, beautyheaven invited me to trial the new Age Perfect Golden Age skin care range from L'Oreal, and I absolutely loved it. I was so impressed with the presentation, quality and benefits, I just had to post a review here, and give you the opportunity to try these lovely products for yourself, or if you're a young'un, nab a set for your Mum or Grandma. It's the first time I've ever seen a range specifically created for 60+ gals, and I'm delighted that L'Oreal acknowledges that us seniors still need and want to look after our skin with the best possible (and affordable) products ...

The packaging is gorgeous - all pastel pink and gold, very feminine and all the containers look ultra-luxurious on my vanity. There are three products in the range - Radiance-Activating Serum, Rosy Re-Densifying Day Cream and Rich Re-Densifying Night Cream (wish there was an eye cream - hint, hint L'Oreal!)...

The serum is a favourite of mine, and in fact I'm still using the same lightweight plastic bottle from the trial - there's about one third left after four months of daily use, so for $39.95, it's excellent value. Under the screw cap there's no dropper, just a hole - when you tip the bottle upside down, one drop of serum is dispensed with each tap. I've been using two or three drops because I don't like to be mean with my face products, plus I always include my neck and chest in my routine. The serum is light, spreads easily, and feels a bit sticky before it completely absorbs, but once it sinks in, you're left with soft, hydrated and refreshed skin that glows with a youthful radiance. There are tiny little golden flecks and micro pearls suspended in the pale pink liquid to provide some subtle and shimmery illumination to one's features, and it has a very delicate rose fragrance...

The day cream lasted a good three months - specially formulated for mature and often dull skin, ingredients include neo-calcium (for strengthening and plumping), and imperial peony extract and iris flower (to rehydrate and give a hint of natural colour). It's the prettiest peachy pink shade which isn't actually visible on the skin once you massage it in, but it sure enhances the glow that's already started happening with the serum...

There's no SPF included so you'll need a sunscreen, but you won't need much else - this cream gave my skin such a moisture boost and healthy radiance, there were days when I seriously considered not wearing foundation - whoa! I especially love that it's light and yet so enriching - it leaves a faint sheen on my skin, but the residue is not the least bit greasy, and I find it to be the perfect makeup base. Ever so lightly scented, it won't interfere with your perfume...

I still have some of the night cream left in the jar because I've been trialling the Revitalift Laser X3 cream for the last five weeks (that's a whole other story of complexion rejuvenation!), but I'll be returning to it shortly as it just so perfectly hydrates my skin overnight...

Quite a bit denser than the day cream, it has an almost waxy consistency. While it doesn't absorb completely, it's not greasy or heavy, and there's no oil slick on my T-zone the next morning. When I use this night cream, I wake up looking refreshed, my skin is plump and refined, and my complexion doesn't have that awful "flattened" appearance that creeps in as the years go by...

So loving this range, and I'm giving away a set to one of my followers. I bought it at Coles at a time when someone screwed up - it seems that whoever was stocking the shelves was advised that this was a discontinued range rather than a brand new one, and all three were marked as "Clearance" with a crazily low price tag (back to normal price the following week). Being the opportunistic blogger that I am (always on the lookout for a bargain) how could I resist?...

To enter, just follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter section below, and leave a comment as to why you'd like to win. Because of the weight of the items (the jars are glass), this giveaway is open to Australian Residents Only. And in case you're planning to give the skin care to a relly, I'm also including the pretty knot earrings and bracelet pictured below for you - they're from Colette and were purchased by me at one of their sales ♥...

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This giveaway is now closed - check back later tonight to see who won!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Woo hoo! - random.org has chosen the beautiful Dianne C. as the winner.  

Congratulations gorgeous! 

Dianne please respond to the email I've sent you by 

Wednesday 25th January to claim your prize :-)

Edit: Dianne has claimed her prize

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Best of luck to all who enter!

Take care of you,

kats xxx

P.S. Linking to Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness Linkup Party, which I believe is resuming as a weekly feature starting today ♥...

SPOTLIGHT: August Empties!...

This post comes to you from a very happy blogger - the days are finally getting longer, the Antarctic winds are finding someone else's toes to freeze, and I've started poking around in the secondary wardrobe for some of the bargains I scored at the end of last Spring/Summer. I do so love buying at end of season sales, and then stashing things away so that I've something fresh and new to wear on day one. And today I changed my hair colour (yet again!), but enough of the Kats-Has-Got-Spring-Fever ravings, let's get on with last month's empties ♥...

Skin Doctors Relaxaderm Advance (30ml RRP $59.95)

From memory I bought this at Chemist Warehouse because it came with a free tube of Younger Hands (which is very good).  I've been using this instead of a serum - advertised as a wrinkle relaxer, it claims to reduce expression lines by 66% in 28 days, but I've not noticed much difference in my crevasses. To be honest I think I'm too far gone for anything like this to have an effect, but you don't know till you try! I've had mixed results from SD products in the past - some have been astoundingly good (like their Eyetuck), while others have been nice enough, but not all that (visibly) effective. I reckon this would be excellent for much younger gals who are starting to see some signs of ageing...

Repurchase?

No - my search for the Fountain of Youth will continue elsewhere...

Imperial Leather Japanese Spa - Jasmine & Green Tea Triple Moisturising Bodywash (1 litre RRP $8.99)

Another one of my gigantic bottle purchases, but unlike the Forbidden Fruit one, I'm still loving this fragrance. Surprising as it contains Jasmine, but it's beautifully balanced with the Green Tea, plus a wee bit of citrus, orange blossom and rose - a lovely fresh and slightly exotic scent that hits the spot all year round. I raved about it HERE, in fact I think it's the same bottle lol!...

Repurchase?

Definitely - at least this one is still available at Coles, but I'll wait till I've cleared some of the others in the cupboard ♥...

Garnier Skin Naturals Miracle Sleeping Cream (50ml RRP $19.95)

This came in my third Marie Claire Ageless Parcel, and won me over from the first application. It's just plain gorgeous - the fragrance alone is heavenly enough to put me in the perfect state for a peaceful slumber. The cream has an unusual texture - it's sort of springy to the touch (if that makes any sense). Not a gel nor a cream, but somewhere in between. Magnificently hydrating without being heavy, it absorbs in a flash, and I wake up with plump, refreshed and satin-soft skin, and no oily film. LOVE it! ♥...

Repurchase?

Already have another jar - I have SO many night creams to try, but I'll alternate them with this because it's so special ♥...

Mirenesse Liquid Silk Foundation (35g RRP $59.50)

Well whoopdedoo, I finished some makeup! I have to hand it to Mirenesse - they make fabulous foundation. Pricey (unless you're a VIP member), and their entire range of foundations only comes in 4 shades, but Vienna is the perfect match for me. This baby is matte, oil free and contains SPF15. It's not my HG (their Velvet Maxi Lift Supreme Antiageing Renovage is even better) but it's a close second. Not quite enough coverage to be perfect, but with a tinted cc cream underneath, the finish is superb. Detailed review HERE ♥...

Repurchase?

I'm in a bit of a quandry - I like the Velvet Maxi Lift a tad more but it's an extra $40, and I'm just now trying their new Smooth Nude CC Hydra Makeup Mousse which I'm absolutely loving, so... maybe not ♥...

Maybelline FITme Shine-Free Foundation Stick (9g RRP $15.95)

I always like to have a stick foundation in my kit, but I was disappointed with this. Super easy to apply and blend, but kind of disappears by lunchtime on my combo skin, and even though I didn't wear it every day, I used up the entire stick within a month. I didn't find it to be shine-free either ...

Repurchase?

No - MNY make so many other foundations that are heaps better...

Clairol Nice'nEasy - Natural Lightest Golden Brown (RRP $12.99)

My experimentation with a new hair colour continues - so now I'm moving away from the reds and getting into the golden stream, and this shade is a natural looking dark honeyish blonde (no way is it brown!). As mentioned in previous empties posts, this range suits me to a T because the colour never EVER becomes darker with re-application. I'm actually after something a wee bit deeper as my base, but the next one up is medium brown which I reckon will be too dark, so I might do my usual trick and mix them half and half ♥...

Repurchase?

Oui - there's several boxes under the bathroom sink ♥...

Lancôme Trésor in Love Eau de Parfum (30ml/50ml/75ml RRP $81/$114/$138)

SO sad when I finished this - it was only a miniature, but I sure fell under its spell, and I made it last for 4 years! I wrote a rave review about it on beautyheaven, and called it 100% romance. The original Trésor smells like rotting fruit on me, but this fruity-floral on a cedar base is nothing short of divine ♥...

Repurchase?

I'm putting all my gold coins in a jar so I can buy the big bottle - it's taking a while, but I'll get there ♥...

Clinique Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector (10ml RRP $50)

I'm embarrassed to say that this eye cream was part of my beautyheaven Blogstar prize that arrived in January 2014, and it's been languishing in my drawer for two years! Mind you I don't have dark circles under my eyes (I have huge bags instead), which is why I wasn't in a hurry to try it. Nor can I report that it does in fact work. All I can say is that the cream is a fleshy colour, has a lovely texture, a groovy little dispenser nozzle, hydrates well, and leaves my skin baby soft...

Repurchase?

Negative - does nothing for my eye bags, and my squinty crows feet are the same depth...

CROP Gentle Cleansing Gel - Essential Oil Blend (125ml RRP $12)

Finishing this was probably my greatest achievement last month. I'm a huge fan of CROP products, but this cleanser would have to be the weirdest one I've ever tried. In its favour, it smells fantastic because of its essential oil content (eucalyptus, rosemary, lemongrass, cajeput & peppermint), and once I rinse out my face cloth, the water is decidedly murky and the colour of my foundation, so it's amazingly effective, but it feels way too peculiar on my skin. I'll try to explain. It's an oil. The directions say to work it into a light lather, but it's ridiculously sticky, and the only way I can get any kind of lather up is to wet my hands a little. So then it lathers a teeny bit and spreads a little more easily, but only for a few seconds, and then my hands get stuck to my skin again, and I have to add more water, and on it goes. By this stage, I'm dripping all over the sink, and well, it's all just too awkward...

Repurchase?

Shakes head from left to right - life's too short for tacky cleansers...

CROP Natural Mineral Pressed Bronzer - Solaire (10g RRP $24)

My HG bronzer - it's a quad with four shades ranging from light to dark, the lightest shade is a terrific highlighter with a slight shimmer. I've hit pan on the two deeper pigments, and halfway to the bottom on the other two, but I'm treating myself to a brand new one that doesn't look so cruddy. EXACTLY the right tone for my skin, riddled with goodness, minus all the bad stuff, and no animal testing ♥...

Repurchase?

Absolutely - it was 40% off at Coles this morning. Yay! ♥...

Did you get through many products last month?

Take care of you,

kats xxx

P.S. It's a done deal that I'm linking this to the always awesome Ingrid's Monday Madness Link Up Party ♥

REVIEW: Nude by Nature Miracle Serum...

Another first class product from nude by nature ♥ After trying and loving (and reviewing) their deliciously smelling Oil, I was compelled to give this Miracle Serum a shot. Such a prettily purple presentation, and given their products are so chock full of goodness, well it was a done deal when I spotted this in my local chemist...

It's actually very similar to Lancome's Genefique, in colour, consistency and effectiveness - in fact I'd go so far as to say it's a (far less expensive) dupe. It's one of those thick whitish translucent serums that feels quite tacky as it dries, but leaves a silky finish to the skin, and wonderfully well-prepped for moisturising. After 5 weeks, I'm a little over half way through the bottle, and that's with twice daily applications... 

Below is all the info from the box - it's definitely a super-hydrating formula. I have combination skin, and it's taken loving care of the drier bits without clogging the oily areas, and I've observed no difference in my shine levels throughout the day... 

I can't say my skin has improved all that much from where I started, but then I've been lavishing it with a far more expensive serum for years (Visionnaire), and it's in reasonable condition given my age. What I can say though is that this luscious liquid has maintained the smoothness and even texture of my complexion, and I'm actually a tad more comfortable using this particular product because of all the natural ingredients it contains (see middle label above)...

Would I buy it again? Most definitely, in fact I'm planning on alternating it with my usual treatment, which I won't give up because it's had such a marked effect on reducing my enlarged pores. But I'm more than happy to drop back to every second day because my skin seems to love this Nude Miracle Serum just as much ♥

RRP is $29.95, and I managed to score a GWP when I bought mine - Airbrush Primer (which I've yet to try), Complexion Beauty Sponge and a cute cosmetic bag...

All up I reckon it's excellent value if you're in the market for a reasonably priced serum that will hydrate and smooth your complexion without slathering on a whole bunch of yucky chemicals - it's lasted pretty well given I've been quite generous with my applications, it looks so gorgeous on my vanity, and it's not tested on animals either ♥

Have you tried Nude Miracle Serum? What's your favourite Nude by Nature product? Do tell as I'm keen to try more from this company ♥

Take care of you,

kats xxx

P.S. I've just added this review to Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness #5 Link Up Party - you'll find lots of other interesting blogger contributions there too ♥